House could propose Medicaid, Medicare cuts in budget resolution

The House Budget Committee is expected to try to cut spending for Medicare and Medicaid when it fine-tunes the House fiscal year 2007 budget resolution this week.

Earlier this month, the Senate passed a budget resolution that did not include President Bush's proposals to slash Medicare and Medicaid. Those cuts would have affected funding to nursing homes. While House Republicans likely will try to trim savings from such programs, moderates and conservatives butt heads over whether to seek reductions for programs this year.

Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, does not think the House budget resolution will include Medicare spending reductions. The budget committee will mark up the resolution Thursday and Friday.